273A1C7D80F43DAC8725824200715DE5 Hearing Summary

Reps. McLachlan and Caitlin introduced House Bill 18-1099. Under current law, the Broadband Deployment Board in the Department of Regulatory Agencies must allow an incumbent telecommunications provider in an unserved area the right of first refusal when another provider applies for grant funding from the board to deploy broadband in the incumbent's area. The bill requires the board to include in its criteria for first right of refusal that the incumbent prove that its speed and cost is equal to or less than the applicant's. Reps. McLachlan and Caitlin answered several committee questions.

Mr. Norm Steen, representing Teller County and Colorado Counties, Inc., testfied in support of the bill. He distributed a handout to the committee [Attachment A].

Mr. Ben Tisdel, representing Ouray County, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Pete Kirchhof, representing the Colorado Telecommunications Association, testified against the bill.

Ms. Virginia Harman, representing the Delta-Montrose Electric Association/Elevate, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Jeffrey Hurd, representing the Delta-Montrose Electric Association/Elevate, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Miriam Gillow-Wiles, representing the Southwest Council of Governments, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Ken Fellman, representing the Colorado Communications and Utility Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Liz Peetz, representing the Colorado Association of Realtors, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Kevin Bommer, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill. He distributed a handout to the committee [Attachment B].

Mr. Bommer answered several committee questions.

Reps. McLachlan and Caitlin gave some closing remarks.